Book excerpt: Australians are famous for our love of the coast, although in many places this `love¿ has caused serious and often irreversible impacts. The sustainable management of our society¿s many uses of the coast is complex and challenging. While a wealth of knowledge exists about the coast, this is not always brought to bear on decision-making. Coastal management to date has had limited success, and in some cases interventions have made problems worse. This book explores the evolution of coastal management, and provides critical insights into contemporary experience and understanding of coastal management in Australia.